Finally, the album we have waited for, not to mention for the longest time from
The Gathering has finally arrived. Having defined themselves with the mixture of progressive metal and moody soundscapes,
The Gathering have again come forth with an offering that reworks their best known material into more laid back, stripped down versions, perfect for to set the mood for a dark atmosphere brought forth for the live performance that is captured on Sleepy Buildings.
Taking the term "semi-acoustic," meaning that clean electric guitars and keyboards are used to define a less produced aesthetic, creating a more raw and captivating sound, first thing that comes to mind is Opeth's 2003 release Damnation. Looking at this record itself, filled with Anneke van Giersbergen vocals that have been the focus of the Gathering's sound, being the perfect compliment to the groups intriguing lyrics, commanding your full attention with her mystical vocal powers, without hitting a bad note.
With many of the cuts on this record taking a more eased back vibe (but then again, that is the case with most of their material), complete with the acoustic outlay which along with the keyboard orchestration of Frank Boeijen, playing everything from acoustic piano to synth/orchestral pads complimenting lead guitarist Rene Rutton's axework, offering everything from the clean glistening lines, to the occasional crunched rhythmic punch to give this record it's sting, to the ambient guitar noises created to add more precision to such a stripped down record.
The cuts alike, such as guitar driven
"Locked Away," the psuedo-symphonic
"The Mirror Waters," and
"Red is a Slow Colour," with its dark chamber music layout, fit for the baroque atmosphere, stay within the dark realm of the neo-Goth sound. For more progressive styled cuts the Pink Floyd-ish
"Stone Garden" and
"In Motion Part II," which ends on a heavy note, is a brief departure from the albums otherwise laid back sound.
Piano ballads such as
"Shrink" and the newly written title cut, as well as more eased tracks like
"My Electricity" and the psychedelic Fender Rhodes/Coral Sitar driven
"Marooned" round out Sleepy Buildings vibe.
All the favorites are included here; including material from albums such as Nighttime Birds, Almost A Dance, and If Then Else, among all the other records are represented here, brought forth in a more than perfect live setting. This is probably a bittersweet release for former bassist Hugo Geerlings, who appears here for the last time, Geerlings left the band in 2003 and was replaced by Marjolein Kooijams.
Fans should run out and buy this record immediately, and for those who have not had the splendor of hearing
The Gathering (shame on you!!), fans of Opeth's Damnation, Nightwish, Blackmore's Night, and Anathema, should also check this one out.
Written by
Hashman Thursday, January 29, 2004
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